Chapter 309 — A New Addition

The next day, Dou Yan urged her Sixth Aunt to return to the Mao'er alley early: "Eleventh Sister-in-law is due any day now. With you there, she will feel braver."

"Our two households are close by," her Sixth Aunt said with a smile. "If she goes into labor, word will be sent soon enough."

Before her words had died away, the messenger from the Mao'er alley arrived.

It turned out that Lady Han had gone into labor as soon as she returned. Fearing to disturb her mother-in-law and Dou Yan's conversation, she had not sent word. Fortunately, the household was well prepared—the midwife and experienced matrons had long been waiting. Even so, this was Lady Han's first child, and she labored through the night without delivering. The midwife and matrons remained calm, but Dou Yong was frightened out of his wits and hurriedly sent someone to the Longhua Temple alley to summon his mother.

At this, no one in the Yunqi Temple alley could sit still any longer.

Her aunt accompanied her Sixth Aunt to the Mao'er alley, leaving Zhao Zhangru with Dou Yan.

The two sisters sat at home on pins and needles.

"I really should not have kept Sixth Aunt here," Dou Yan blamed herself; childbirth was a perilous gate. "There is no good time for such talk." She muttered to herself.

Zhao Zhangru, meanwhile, pressed her palms together and prayed toward the west: "May it be a safe delivery. May it be a safe delivery."

By midday, word came from the Mao'er alley. Lady Han had safely delivered a plump baby boy weighing seven jin.

The Yunqi Temple alley erupted in cheers.

Dou Yan and Zhao Zhangru hurried off to visit Lady Han.

The child was chubby and looked like Dou Juan. Dou Yan held him and could not bear to put him down, while Zhao Zhangru circled anxiously beside her: "Let me hold him, let me hold him."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Even Han, pale and propped against the great bolster, could not help but break into a joyful smile.

Aunt Ji had sent someone to carry the news to the household in the Locust Tree Lane; Uncle Five and his wife had not yet arrived, but Song Sui had come over together with Dou Huaiying.

Dou Yan was taken aback.

Song Dan explained with a smile, "I came over accompanying my father-in-law."

Of course I know you came with Father. The problem is how on earth did you end up coming with him?

Dou Yan grumbled inwardly.

Dou Huaiying, however, was beaming, and teased his daughter, "Yantang came to keep me company over tea."

This fellow—couldn't he show a little restraint?

Dou Yan shot a glare at Song Chu.

Song Yan pretended not to see, and offered Dou Yong his "congratulations."

Dou Yong was so delighted he had long since lost all sense of direction, returning the courtesy to one and all and saying "the same to you," "the same to you," which set the whole crowd laughing again.

When Zhao Zhangru learned of it, she teased Dou Yan: "I came over with my father-in-law too."

"Not even sweetened eggs can stop that mouth of yours!" Dou Yan reached to pinch Zhao Zhangru's cheek.

Zhao Zhangru bolted and hid behind Aunt Six: "Look, look, Shouyuan is bullying me!"

Aunt Six's eyes laughed into crescent moons; letting them romp as they pleased, she said, "With me here, would she dare do anything to you?"

Hiding behind Aunt Six, Zhao Zhangru pulled faces at Dou Yan.

Her aunt shook her head helplessly. "Such a grown girl—she's perfectly fine when she keeps quiet, but the moment she opens her mouth it's as if she's missing a string or two. What's to become of her?"

Zhao Zhangru's expression dimmed at once, but she quickly raised a smile again and chattered away with Aunt Six and Han.

Watching her, Dou Yan nearly burst into tears.

When Song Yan came to discuss with her what gift to give the newborn for the third-day washing ceremony, she could not help telling him about it: "...I'm afraid all that former artlessness was only to set Aunt's mind at ease!"

Song Ji squeezed her hand and comforted her: "My grandmother used to say that every blade of grass has its drop of dew—her time simply hasn't come yet."

"I hope so!" Dou Yan sighed wistfully.

Uncle Six gave the child the pet name "Seven Catty."

Dou Yi simply stayed a couple more days in the Yunqi Temple Lane, planning to attend Seven Catty's third-day washing ceremony before returning to the Yingzhen Duke's estate.

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Sisters and brothers, it's back to the regular work schedule!

o(n_n)o~

Thank you all for your forbearance and patient waiting these past days. Starting tomorrow I'll make up the three extra chapters owed from July—same old time, updates around 14:30 noon. I beg my sisters and brothers for your support—cast a few pink votes for me!

Thank you, everyone!